Just 48hrs with the hot McLaren 650s

This is what I call a true RAW automotive assignment and I loved it! Getting the client up at 4am, being the first one on top this new and deserted mountain road. We had reccied it in detail so to accommodate a tight schedule and chase the amazing light down the valley. The first shot is still my favourite frame of the day … cruising around a sharp bend as the first streaks of sun pop over the mountains. It all boils down to perfect placement, precision timing, hanging out of a car and adding a dynamic sense of motion with a wide open shutter. Good morning Ras al Khaimah!

The gig ran smoothly with a mix of locations. We ended the first day on the beach at the Waldorf Astoria hotel. The car just about stuck to my plans. After a tight 20 point turn, the pro drivers managed to squeeze the car up the deck, neglecting a growing crowd of amused sun-bathing tourists. Sunsets always work. Throw in an awesome looking car with iconic features and it’s a joy to call yourself an artist at work.

We then plunged ourselves straight into the desert. When on the road, motion shots always work best. Car to car photography at decent speeds. Yet it’s a fine line of getting it right, seeking that perfect balance between precise sharpness and a backdrop that feeds energy. We added a couple of layers of ND filters and cruised at 1/20 sec, shooting handheld with a wide lens. Covered in sweat and dirt by the end, it was truly an awesome day out in the field!